5K3 MAKING LIGHT OF CHRIST. rather hear some merry jests, or idle tales, or talk of their riches or business in the world? when you may follow them from morn- ing to night, and scarce have a savory word of ,Christ ; but per- haps some slight and weary mention of him sometimes ; judge whether these make not light of Christ and salvation. How se- riously do they talk of the world? (Psal. cxliv. 8. 11.) and speak vanity! But how heartlessly do they make mention of Christ and salvation! 3. The things that we highly value we would secure the posses- sion of, and therefore would take any convenient course to have all doubts and fears about them well resolved. Do not those men, then, make light of Christ and salvation, that have lived twenty or thirty years in uncertainty whether they have any part in these or not, and yet never seek out for the right resolution of their doubts ? Are all that hear me this day certain they shall be saved? O that they were ! O, had you not made light of salvation, you could not so easily bear such doubtings of it ; you could not rest till you.had made it sure, or done your best to make it sure. Have you nobody to inquire of that might help you in such a work? Why, you have ministers that are purposely appointed to that office. Have you gone totheri and told them the doubtful- ness of your case, and asked their help in the judging of your con- dition? Alas! ministers may sit in their studies from one year to another before ten persons among one thousand will come to them on such , an- errand ! Do not these make light of Christ and salva- tien ? When the gospel pierceth the heart indeed, they cry oit, ° Men and brethren, what shall we. do to be saved ?" Acts xvi. 30. ix. 6. Trembling and astonished, Paul cries out, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" And so did the convinced Jews to Peter ; Acts ih 37. But when hear we such questions ? 4. The things that we value do deeply affect us, and some.mo- tions will be in the heart according to our estimation ofthem. O, sirs, if men made not light of these things, what workings would there be in the hearts of all our hearers ! What strange affections would it raise in them to hear of the matters of the world to come ! How would their hearts melt before the power of the gosl ! What sorrow would be wrought in the discovery of their sins ! What astonishment at the consideration of their misery! What unspeakable joy at the glad tidings of salvation by the blood of Christ! What resolution would be raised in them upon the dis- covery rif their duty ! O; What hearers shouldwe have, if it were not for this sin ! Whereasnow we aremore likely to weary them, or preach them asleep with matters of this unspeakable moment. We talk to them of Christ and salvation till we make their heads
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